This post will discuss why to use a dictionary, types of dictionaries, and how you can improve your dictionary skills.

“no matter which dictionaries learners use, if they receive only brief introductory lessons on dictionary use rather than on-going training in real language learning situations, they are unlikely to develop effective dictionary skills” – Alan Hunt, Dictionaries and Vocabulary Learning

Dictionaries are tools for language learners. Make the most of them.

Why use dictionaries?

Improve reading comprehension

Expand vocabulary

Apply in sample sentences

Hear correct pronunciation

Break down word to individual sounds with IPA

Learn collocations, idioms, common expressions

Identify parts of speech and grammar

Determine frequency of use

Find Korean words related by Hanja (Chinese characters)

Enhance comprehension by seeing related words

Types of Dictionaries

Glossary in the back of a phrase book or introductory textbook. Simple, only a few words, good for novice who would be overwhelmed with 10 different words and/or meanings found in full dictionary.

Monolingual dictionary. Korean-Korean.

Bilingual dictionary. English-Korean.

Frequency dictionary. The words are ranked in order of their frequency of use.

Monolingual dictionaries use about 2000 words in their definitions, so by intermediate level, learner should be able to use monolingual dictionaries.

Train yourself to use dictionaries wisely

Learn Hangul

Know how to look up words alphabetically

Identify parts of speech (learn the words for parts of speech in Korean)

Read several sub entries before deciding which one is the right meaning

Try different types of dictionaries. They can compliment each other.

Develop your dictionary skills over time

Look up words from real world context

Use picture and frequency dictionaries to expand your vocabulary

Consult teacher or other students when you have questions about dictionary. Start a conversation about word meanings.

Try to infer the word from context before looking up in dictionary

Recognize when you make errors looking up words and try to learn from mistakes

Specific Dictionaries

Korean—English Dictionary by Leon Kuperman free and available in different formats (PDF, Kindle, online HTML, plain-text)Naver The most comprehensive I use, includes example sentences and many definitions, but has so much Korean that it is difficult for a novice to use.zKorean English-Korean with only the word. Simple like a phrase book dictionary, but some inaccuracies.BlueDic online dictionary. Interesting results. Midway between zKorean and Naver in terms of complexity.KoreanDictionary.net has 8000 entries, but suffers from excessive advertising.

I understand I will need much more than dictionaries to comprehend Korean language. “Fluent Forever” talks about building an internal network of connections and connotations in the new language, similar to what you have with your first language. Far more than knowing 개 means dog, but that dogs bark, you can be dog-tired, dogs are loyal, doggedly pursuing something, Lassie rescues, and all the other subtle connections a word has. The way Koreans explain that 개 is a rather low word and knowing dogs are more feared than thought of as pets in Korea already clues me in that Koreans relate to those animals differently. Again, the conclusion is that learning a language isn’t about simply learning words. Culture, attitudes, history, emotions, and so much more factor into communicating.